Rat rowed and Mole watched the waves.
Rat pointed to a rock near the bank.
"Look!" said Rat.
"That is where I caught my first fish."
But Mole didn't hear him.
He was too busy enjoying the river.
"This is all new to me!" grinned Mole.
"The river is my world," said Rat.
"I don't want any other."
"But it must be boring sometimes," said Mole.
"Never!" said Rat.
The river passed by some dark woods.
"What's over there?" asked Mole.
"That? It's the Wild Wood," said Rat.
"We Riverbankers don't go there much."
"Are folks nice there?" asked Mole.
"The squirrels are all right.
Some of the rabbits are nice too.
But you can't trust the weasels!" said Rat.
"Badger lives in the Wild Wood.
He's my friend."
"Let's go see Badger!" Mole cried.
"That's not a good idea," said Rat.
"Badger hates visitors."
Rat and Mole paddled into a small pond.
They tied up the boat and stepped out.
Rat spread the blanket.
He opened the basket.
"Let's eat!" cried Rat.
As they sat down, bubbles popped up on the water.
The bubbles moved closer to shore.
Splash! A new friend popped out of the water.
"Hey! Why wasn't I invited?" laughed Otter.